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The Astronomical Journal, No. 52; Cambridge, Jan. 27, 1852. 

 4to. — From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor. 



The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 6. Dec. 1852. 

 New York and Philadelphia. 8vo. — From F. G. Skinner, Edi- 

 tor. 



Prof. Frazer announced the death of Sears C. Walker, a 

 member of this Society, on the 30th inst. at Cincinnati, in the 

 48th year of his age. 



Remarks upon the scientific labours of Mr. Walker were 

 made by Prof. Frazer and Mr. Justice. 



On motion, Prof. Frazer was appointed to prepare an obitu- 

 ary notice of the deceased member. 



Mr. Justice offered, for the inspection of the members, a 

 " Crystal lotype" of the Moon, taken by John A. Whipple, of 

 Boston, through the great refracting telescope at Cambridge, 

 and presented to Mr. Justice by Marcus A. Root, daguerreo- 

 typist of this city. 



This picture of the moon, small as it is, being only 5 inches long, 

 by 2^ broad, is so perfectly distinct that all the well known localities 

 on the line of partial illumination, where the shadows are more fully 

 projected, can be easily recognised. 



In tracing this line from north to south, we notice on the dark plain 

 of Mare Imbrium, the fully developed ring-mountains of Archimedes, 

 Aristillus and Autolycus, with the whole group lying within the curve 

 of the Apennines, v/hose dark shadows are contrasted with the en- 

 lightened side of the range. Continuing on nearly the same meri- 

 dian, south of the equator, the large circular expanse of Ptolemy, 

 united to Alphons, and Arzachel with its central hills, are all finely 

 indicated ; while Hipparchus, Thebit, and the surrounding pit-forma- 

 tions which exist throughout these mountain regions, form almost as 

 beautiful a display as when viewed through the telescope. The effect 

 is much increased when the picture is viewed through a low magni- 

 fying power. 



When we consider the small number of persons who have the op- 

 portunity of examining the moon through a good telescope, we are 

 able more fully to appreciate an art which can thus so graphically 

 transfer the likeness of this planet from the heavens to a parlour ta- 

 ble, for the convenience of our investigations in the study of seleno- 

 graphy. 



